To identify the people, places and events of the early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, helping to preserve for descendants of pioneers and all who share in their legacy, their story of faith and fortitude.

OUR MISSION

The Land and Records Office has records on the locations of the homes and property of those who resided in Nauvoo from 1839 to 1846, including records on many of the early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

It was during the winter of 1846-47 migrating, Mormon pioneers came to the banks of the Missouri River and here they built their Winter Quarters. Some four thousand or so pioneers built cabins and dugouts in which they lived for two years. Some 90 + settlements were established as well in Iowa on the eastern side of the river, here their sojourn lasted up to another five years.

PIONEER RESEARCH LIBRARY

Located in the Trail Center is the Pioneer Research Library. Those seeking information about pioneers who lived in one of the 23 Winter Quarters Wards or the 90 + Iowa settlements may find evidence here. A listing of burials in the Winter Quarters Pioneer Cemetery is also available. Some information may be found as well about the 60 + Iowa pioneer cemeteries.

AN AMERICAN EXODUS "Following the death of Joseph Smith in 1844, ire against the Saints rose rapidly. In 1845, the repeal of the Nauvoo City charter, which among other things granted the Latter-day Saints the right to keep a standing militia for their own protection, signaled the effective end of their sojourn in Illinois. These events, however, merely catalyzed a move contemplated by Church leaders for a number of years. As early as 1840 Joseph Smith had taught there was "a place of safety preparing for [the Saints] away towards the Rocky Mountains" (quoted in Ronald K. Esplin, "'A Place Prepared': Joseph, Brigham and the Quest for Promised Refuge in the West," Journal of Mormon History vol.9 [1982], 90). By the fall of 1845, preparations for the exodus were well under way; the proposed departure date would be, in the words of Brigham Young, "as soon as the grass grows" (quoted in Wallace Stegner, The Gathering of Zion: The Story of the Mormon Trail, [1964], 38) in the following spring. But the mobs wouldn't rest. On 4 February 1846, in the heart of a Midwestern winter so cold and bitter the Mississippi River froze over, the Latter-day Saints were driven from their homes and lands down a street which came to be known as the "Street of Tears" and into the unknown mystery of the western frontier."

"Nauvoo: City Beautiful." The Trek West. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Our goals in the creation of the "Crossroads to the West" project to is to share the story of the migration of the early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through Iowa to the Middle Missouri Valley.

Crossroads to the West, a virtual history book sharing the story of the early Latter-day Saints on the Mormon Trail at their Winter Quarters.

INTERACTIVE HISTORY PROJECTS

"Lest They Be Forgotten"Pioneer Cemeteries

The 1846 Mormon migration across Iowa brought thousands of pioneers across Iowa to the Middle Missouri Valley. Many lost their lives as they traveled the arduous trail. This project seeks to identify their sacred burial grounds through some 65 counties from Illinois, Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri.

"Crossroads to the West"A Virtual History of the Mormons at the Missouri

Lest They Be Forgotten, a virtual tour of pioneer cemeteries from Nauvoo across, Iowa and along the Missouri River. This is our newest project and is a work in progress.

NOW AVAILABLE ON THE WEB AND AS AN iPHONE AND ANDROID APP!!!VISIT THE APP STORE, SEARCH FOR MAP-N-TOUR A FREE APP.

Learn more with an Introduction to Crossroads to the West, below.

For the first time, a highly accurate representation of 'what happened where' is available for the Willie Company. It is intended to help people connect events to the places where they happened and to do so with the help of modern technology. Paul Lyman's map book provided the source material which has been supplemented with additional materials.

Mormon Battalion Trail, a self-guided presentation allowing you to follow along as the Mormon Battalion is recruited, enrolled in the Army and they journeyed from Iowa to California. The four detachment group routes are also portrayed.

Willie Handcart Trail, This is a self-guided presentation allowing you to follow in the steps of the Willie Handcart Company of 1856. From the shores of Europe to their eventual arrival in the great Salt Lake, this interpretation uses the original company journal text to create a 3-D representation of the Willie Company's travels.

Using period journals and other sources, we have - for the first time - created a highly accurate interpretation of all the Battalion routes. The Main Command and all the detachments are represented. It is intended to help people connect events to the places where they happened and to do so with the help of modern technology.

The collections of the Church History Library contain materials chronicling the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from its beginning in 1830 to the present day. The collections contain manuscripts, books, Church records, photographs, oral histories, architectural drawings, pamphlets, newspapers, periodicals, maps, microforms, and audiovisual materials. The staff creates and maintains catalogs and indexes for accessing this wide variety of information.

The Land and Records Office has records on the locations of the homes and property of those who resided in Nauvoo from 1839 to 1846, including records on many of the early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.The best way to take advantage of the resources-human, technological, documentary-of the Land and Records Office is to personally visit the facility. You can however send a request for information, Land and Records Mail Order Form, by mail, email to nauvoolr@ldschurch.org , fax at 217-453-2257, or call 217-453-2733 to ask for assistance.

LocationLand and Records OfficePartridge StreetNauvoo, IL 62354

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Researchers at the Pioneer Research Library seek to gather the history of the early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during their sojourn in Winter Quarters, Kanesville and surrounding area including information on their settlements and cemeteries.

A librarian is available generally, Thurday from 3 pm - 9 pm, Friday from 1 pm - 6 pm, and Saturday 9 am - 12 pm. It is advised to call the Trail Center to arrange for your visit.

The Religion and Family History Department is located on the second floor of the Harold B. Lee Library at Brigham Young University. It is also commonly referred to as the BYU Family History Library.

The department is staffed with over one-hundred missionary consultants, who are here to provide help with family history research. They can help you get started, find records in our collection or online, use family history software, or even help you translate records in different languages.Location:Campus Drive, Provo, UT 84602Phone:(801) 422-2927

The Church History Library collects materials by or about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members. These materials come from a wide spectrum of sources and represent numerous points of view. The collections consist of manuscripts, books, Church records, photographs, oral histories, patriarchal blessings, architectural drawings, pamphlets, newspapers, periodicals, maps, microform, and audiovisual materials. The collection continues to grow annually and is a prime resource for the study of Church history.

"Visitors can explore more than 40 historic sites from the 1840 period when the early members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, established Nauvoo. Restored homes, shops and public buildings - along with monuments, gardens, cemeteries and visitors' centers - can fill several entertaining days. Demonstrations in many of the sites make for interactive fun for children."

Don't miss the Nauvoo Pageant, "A Tribute to Joseph" being performed July 7th - August 1st 2015.

"Witness glimpses of the great "Mormon Migration" as you walk beside a covered wagon, pull a handcart, climb in the bunks on a steam ship, and imagine a railroad journey. Exhibits also explore the expulsion from Nauvoo, the crossing of Iowa, and temporary settlements in the Middle Missouri Valley, including Winter Quarters, where the center is located. While in the area, visit the Kanesville Tabernacle across the river in Council Bluffs, Iowa."

The Historical Pioneer Research Group, Inc is a not-for-profit organization in the state of Nebraska. All donations to the HPRG are tax-deductible. Donations can be sent to Historical Pioneer Research Group, Inc., 3215 State Street, Omaha, NE 68112ATTN: Maury Schooff, Treasurer